We love our family in spite of our differences. We also love our family in Christ. And we most certainly love those who love on us. As the song said back in the day, “It’s so good loving somebody who loves you back.” According to the scriptures we are commanded to love each other and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Even if your neighbor is the most difficult person that you know. Although some people do, we should not pick and choose which scriptures to obey. Our neighbor according to the Bible is not just who lives next door to us but includes everyone. Regardless of skin color, physical features, cultural traditions, or different religious beliefs. We are commanded to love everyone!
“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19)
“And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8)
Let’s go back to that difficult neighbor. The Bible does not say we must like them or the things they say or do. And we certainly shouldn’t allow them to steal our joy or our peace. However we must love them. Not fake it but truly love them. Which means we should not wish them any harm and we should pray for them as well as for ourselves. We pray for ourselves because it is not easy to love the unlovable. Lord knows we need the help of the Holy Spirit! Sometimes we may have to love them from a distance but sometimes God wants us to allow proximity so we can help them or He wants to help us by teaching us how to deal with sandpaper people as Joyce Myers calls them. Sandpaper people are rough, and if you allow them they will drain your light. We really need Jesus to deal with them and instead of them draining our light we can shine light into their darkness and just maybe smooth them out. Yes it’s darkness, hurt people hurt people! And the enemy will use their hurt to pour darkness into their being. We need discernment to identify that the struggle is spiritual, not physical. The Bible tells us we don’t fight against flesh and blood, but the powers of darkness. When we know who we are fighting then we will know how to fight! We fight with prayer, patience, compassion, forgiveness, grace, and most of all love. Light outshines darkness any day and love overpowers hate in every situation!
“Satan disguises himself as and angel of light highlighting the need for discernment.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
It’s easy to deal with people who think and feel as we do. If we say that we want to follow Jesus who loved everyone even those who lied on Him, talked about him, hated Him, and eventually hung Him on a cross, then we must love as He loves. The time is not coming, it is already here that love for each other will be the only thing that gets us through. As the difficult times of the last days approach, let us stay steadfast in devotion to God and His word. And His Word says love one another!
“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4;20-21)
Love and Blessings…
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)
EMMANUEL 